The appeal of yurts is growing both nationally and internationally. More and more people are craving to live in a natural setting. Of course, there are a lot of unique details to look into before buying a yurt. Below we provide some ideas for you to consider prior to purchasing your new yurt, as well as a downloadable infographic on how to buy a yurt.

Purpose

The purpose for which the yurt will be used should be decided first, as it determines so many design details and what amenities you choose. Whether it will be a primary home, a vacation cottage, an office, fitness studio, or a source of additional income through rental or an Airbnb-type option will make a difference in budget, size, and much more.

Location

The next thing to nail down is where you will build your yurt. You need to consider the energy sources you will use and water sources as well, when thinking of your ideal location. You will want to research your options for heating, electricity and plumbing, if those amenities are important to your yurt lifestyle. Every state has different zoning requirements and codes that must be adhered to, so be sure to do your research before purchasing your yurt kit.

Size

Yurts for sale come in various sizes. Pacific Yurts offers yurt sizes from 12’ in diameter (115 square feet), to 30’ in diameter (706 square feet). Based on how you choose to use your yurt, you’ll need to plan what furniture or items you’ll want to fit into your floor plan. We offer a helpful gallery, virtual tours, and online 3D Yurt Builder Tool to help with this part of the process.

Yurt sizes are measured by diameter. A standard yurt kit will include the lattice wall, the rafters, a center ring, doors, windows, top cover, and hardware, such as the tension cable. Custom features, which include various wall, door, window and roof options, just to name a few, are also available.

Financing

Financing a yurt is usually done via a personal line of credit through a local credit union or a bank. Many will also just use a credit card. Keep in mind that since yurts are often viewed as portable, some lenders may not recognize it as a traditional home. In that case, you may be taking out a loan on the land for the yurt.

As an investment, affordable yurts make great options. Yurts are very straightforward to set up as vacation rentals. They also make wonderful office spaces and business sites. In general they have a very quick return on investment, especially as rental properties for vacations. Many of our customers have purchased to use as AirBnb rentals and successfully created additional income for themselves and their families. Be sure to check on your state’s zoning codes and rules for making your yurt a rental property.

Company Research

Choosing the right yurt company from the start of your yurt buying process will make all the difference. Just as you would with any large purchase, avoid vendors that make claims of being the highest quality for the lowest price. This is where research comes in! Look into the possibility of visiting customers near you to see the yurts they purchased. Ask questions from yurt owners online or in forums and Facebook groups.

Here are some questions to explore with other yurt owners about the companies they purchased from:

Was your yurt delivered on time and did it meet your expectations?

Were there hidden costs to owning your yurt?

How hard was it to construct?

What would you have liked to have known beforehand?

What are the pros and cons you would mention now that you have experienced yurt living?

How was your customer experience throughout the buying process, and after?

Yurt companies are still somewhat few and far between, so it’s important to check them out thoroughly. Many have put up websites that make incredible claims, but that doesn’t mean they are a good company. You should look into their ratings on the Better Business Bureau site and on Dun & Bradstreet. Also, if you are doing comparison shopping for price, be aware that a lower price may mean poorer quality. A quality yurt is something that should last for decades. With less-than-quality materials, it may not last even a few years. Resorts and commercial operators will understand that purchases based solely on price lead to frustration, increase maintenance costs and reduced revenue.

Because yurt companies’ designs are different, parts are not interchangeable between different brands, so you are going to want to find a company that you can stick with long-term. Also, because yurts are such a unique product, you will want to work with a company that has a very good customer service department—one that is ready and willing to answer a lot of questions.

Never be afraid to call a company to ask questions. This can be a very eye-opening exercise for both research purposes and to get an idea of a company’s knowledge. What you want and need in a yurt can be discussed with representatives of any yurt company to get a fuller understanding of your options.

Pacific Yurts

Pacific Yurts are rated very highly as we are the most established and trusted yurt company in the world. Prices for our standard yurts are very reasonable, especially considering the overall quality. We also offer custom features, such as our Custom Curve ™ Glass Window System, our snow and wind kits, or one of the many stunning options we have for doors.